Welcome to Hege Academic Commons online. We are here to support you! If you find yourself struggling, please reach out. Additional information and links to resources are provided on this site to connect you to our services and resources. A full overview of our resources, support, and services can be can be found in this brochure, which is also available in print format in the Academic Commons.
Here are some quick tips that can help you be successful as a learner as you navigate instruction that may be primarily online or have online components:
- Learn the technology. If you are not already familiar with Canvas (or another platform that your instructor may be using), start exploring it NOW. You don’t want to wait until the day your first assignment is due to figure out how everything works.
- Get to know your instructors. Now, more than ever, it will be important to build relationships with your instructors. If you will have limited face-to-face time, make sure you engage just as much virtually as you would in-person by contributing to online discussions and ASKING QUESTIONS when you have them (!) in order to let your instructor know you are engaged.
- Be organized. When you attend a class on campus, you come prepared with notebooks and folders, armed with ways to organize your school supplies. You should take the same approach to classes that are either partially or entirely taught online.
- Find a quiet space where you can concentrate, uninterrupted (away from the noise of other people, the television, etc), during online sessions or activities.
- Make sure you have note-taking devices (paper and pencil, tablet, computer file, etc) because you always will need to take notes on class content, whether you are in or outside the classroom.
- Set up a file structure on your computer that will clearly divide your readings and assignments so that you can find them easily and keep up-to-date with your school work, stress free.
- Don't surf the internet during an online class or activity. This will be a hard one because you'll be on the internet for class, but resist the temptation to leave your class page while in-session.
- Similarly, don't text or otherwise be engaged on your cell phone, as this also poses a distraction.
- Establish a routine. A (weekday) routine can help add structure to your day so that you are better able to focus and accomplish your tasks. Maintain the same day-to-day schedule as much as possible:
- go to bed and wake up at the same time every day; practice the same morning routine until your first class starts; keep a regular lunch time; study in between classes
- If you're not sure how to get started establishing a routine, treat your education like a 9-5 job. Work on school-related things from 9a-5p every week day until you figure out what works best for you.
Tips are adapted from https://online.uc.edu/successful-online-students/
